Joe McComb and Michael Hall are headed for a runoff for Corpus Christi mayor.

"Of course, we would have liked to get 50 percent and save everybody the hassle but 49 percent out of a field of five is pretty substantial," McComb said. "What it says was there was some challengers but they diluted the voter numbers to just under 50 percent so we feel pretty confident going into the runoff. We’ll be ready, we’re not taking anything lightly."

McComb, who enjoyed a majority of the vote after early voting, saw his lead drop under 50 percent late in the evening as final Election Day ballots were counted.

He dropped to 49.73 percent with only one ballot out. He received more than 36,113 votes, according to complete, unofficial returns.

Hall received about 20 percent of the vote, or 14,260 votes.

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Corpus Christi Mayor Joe McComb receives a phone call about his lead in early voting on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.(Photo: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times)

"I'm just super excited that we made it this far — it was such a close race; every vote really did matter," Hall said. "I'm so thankful to have the support that I've had so far. I hope that support will continue through the runoff and we can pull through and win this thing in the end."

Aislynn Campbell finished the night at around 18 percent of the vote, or 13,197 votes.

Ray Madrigal De Pancho Villa took 8.61 percent, or 6,253 votes, and former mayor Dan McQueen took 3.85 percent, or 2,795 votes, according to complete unofficial returns.

CITY COUNCIL RACES

Candidates in four of the five City Council districts also will be decided in a runoff. Three city councilors in the at-large race earned seats back on the council.

Paulette Guajardo, Michael Hunter and Rudy Garza Jr. returned to the council. Guajardo received 26.37 percent, or 31,670 votes. Hunter finished with 23.75 percent, or 28,523. Garza received 18.73 percent, or 22,494 votes.

The top two candidates in council Districts 1, 2, 3 and 5 will join the runoff election.

Corpus Christi mayor Joe McComb seeking re-election looks at the local news as early voting numbers came out putting him at 51.4% early on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times

Corpus Christi mayoral candidate Michael Hall talks to the media at the Post waits at as he waits for the last votes to be counted and a runoff to be called on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times

Candidate for Corpus Christi's City Council District 3 seat, Roland Barrera campaigns outside the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times

Candidate for Corpus Christi's City Council District 3 seat, Roland Barrera campaigns outside the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times

Candidate for Corpus Christi's City Council At Large seat, Kaylynn Paxson campaigns outside the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times